Entries Tagged as 'wild center'

PAUL SMITHS, NY – The recent cold temperatures bode well for a good maple syrup season – and in February and March, The Wild Center and the Paul Smith’s College VIC will host several events showcasing how to make (and enjoy!) this quintessential springtime treat.

Over four weekends, watch how the sweet sap of trees becomes the highlight of a pancake breakfast and learn other ways to use this natural sweetener at a series of demonstrations, activities and events in both Tupper Lake and Paul Smiths.

The Paul Smith’s College VIC will host two workshops for people interested in establishing their own backyard maple sugaring operations.

Toss out your old-fashioned maple taps – on Saturday, Feb. 16, from 1-4 p.m., learn how to set up a modern tubing system with Mike Farrell, director of the Cornell Maple Program. A brief classroom session will be followed by hands-on work at the VIC’s sugar maple demonstration site. Topics will include preparing the sugar bush prior to tubing installation; site considerations; line placement and installation; tapping trees; sanitation; and sap collection. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for a 2-3 mile snowshoe walk on groomed trails and uneven terrain. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow a pair from the VIC.

On Saturday, March 23, from 1-4 p.m., learn about the art of maple sugaring with special emphasis on backyard tapping, collection and boiling. At this event, part of New York State’s Maple Weekend, Paul Smith’s College students will lead workshops and provide tours of the sugarhouse and the maple demonstration site. Includes program and tastings for the whole family.

The Wild Center will also host a pair of workshops on Sunday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, March 16, to launch Tupper Lake’s first-ever community maple sugaring project. The project, one of the first in the state, invites area residents to tap maple trees in their own yards. The Wild Center will collect the sap daily once it starts to flow, ultimately boiling it down into maple syrup.

To participate, attend the free “Art of Maple Sugaring Breakfast and Workshop.” Registered participants will get a pancake breakfast, an introduction to the natural history of maple trees, expert instruction and tapping tools. Additional supplies will be available for purchase from The Wild Supply Company. Advanced registration is required; attendance at either workshop is necessary to participate in the project. Families are encouraged to attend.

After the workshops end, it’s all maple all day at The Wild Center, with maple stories, crafts and tastings on Feb. 24 and March 16. The Adirondack Museum will share local maple sugaring stories through historical objects and pictures from the past. Get insight into the sugaring process from experienced naturalists at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. as they discuss tapping trees, processing sap, and – the sweet part – maple sugar. Take a closer look at an operational evaporator, catch some running sap and drill your own tap as we explore the local maple-sugaring story.

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required. Visit Maple Weekends to register for events at The Wild Center or call (518) 359-7800. For events at the Paul Smith’s College VIC, contact Brian McDonnell at (518) 327-6241 or bmcdonnell@paulsmiths.edu. For more information, please visit us online at www.northernnewyorkmaple.com.

Tupper Lake, NY – Don’t miss Presidents Week at The Wild Center, February 17th – February 24th as we celebrate the season with a week of wintery Adirondack fun. Everyday there is a new winter theme and activities for the whole family to enjoy. In addition to special daily winter programming there will be guided snowshoe walks, live animal encounters, and warm winter beverages. For more information, visit The WILD Center – Events.

Saturday, February 16th
Join us for opening day of Winter Week as we celebrate winter in the Adirondacks! Get outside and try your hand at snowshoeing with one of our naturalists. Or stay inside to learn about winter adventuring and to meet some of our Adirondack animals, whose adaptations allow them to cope with the harsh Adirondack winters in intriguing ways.

Sunday, February 17th
Noon theater program and 2:00 pm walk
Animal Tracking with Vince Walsh
Join Vince Walsh for a day on animal tracking and signs to learn how you can see, identify and interpret the natural world of the Adirondacks. Vince will share his experience and insight through multiple public programs starting with a 12:00 pm theater presentation on winter and its influences on animal behavior. Then bring your tracking questions, pictures and stories to Vince as he puzzles over your tracking experiences and discoveries. Don’t forget to bring some warm clothes so at 2:00 pm you can head outside to practice your tracking skills and use all your senses to see what evidence of animals you can find in the Adirondack forest. Snowshoes will be provided free with admission.

Monday, February 18th – 1:00 pm
Wild about Winter
Join naturalist and entertainer Rob Carr for a wild theater program about Adirondack animals in the winter. Filled with stories, humor, puppets and LOTS of live animals, it is guaranteed to please visitors of all ages.

Tuesday, February 19th – 1:00 pm
Winter Birds of the Adirondacks
Where have all the birdies gone? While it might seem like all our birds fly south when the weather gets chilly, there are plenty that stick around and tough out the Adirondack winters. Meet LIVE Adirondack birds in our theater at 1:00 pm for a fascinating program about birds and their winter adaptations. Follow up with a 2:00 pm bird walk along our trails, looking for signs of these tenacious feathered fliers and talking about the ways different species adapt for the cold.

Wednesday, February 20th – 1:00 pm
Creatures of the Night
Nighttime animals love the long winter nights. Join us in Planet Adirondack at 1:00 pm to meet live creatures of the night and get a glimpse into their nighttime habits.

Thursday, February 21st – 1:00 pm
Putting the Myth on Ice
Bears sleep all winter, plants stop growing and all birds fly south…or do they? Join naturalist Andrea Schwander for a fun-filled theater program of breaking down misconceptions and myth busting. The program will focus on some animal and winter myths, and will feature audience participation, demonstrations, and of course, some of The Wild Center’s live animals.

Friday, February 22nd – 1:00 pm
Brrrrrrrrreakfast
Not many choose to brave the cold Adirondack winters, not even in the animal kingdom. Lucky for us we have a couple of LIVE animals that tend to stick around instead of hightailing it to warmer areas. Come to our afternoon theater program to learn about their adaptations for obtaining food and energy in the long cold days of winter.

Saturday, February 23rd – 1:00 pm
The Travel Troupe
Join The Wild Center in welcoming the Ronathahonni Cultural Center’s Travel Troupe. Come learn about their cultural history through song, dance and storytelling at 1:00 pm in our Flammer Theater.

Sunday, February 24th – 9:00 am
Pancake Breakfast and Sugaring Workshop
The Wild Center is joining Tupper Lake community members and their sugar maple trees to create a community-driven Maple Sugar house. For local residents: register for the 9:00 am free Pancake Breakfast and Sugaring Workshop to learn more about our community maple project. Register at www.wildcenter.org/events and see how you can get involved.

Tupper Lake, NY – Next time you’re at your local library checking out that new bestseller and picking up some books for the kids, why not check out Wild Center Discovery Passes at the same time? The Wild Center, working with the Clinton Essex Franklin Library System (CEFLS), aims to be a vital part of the community and be accessible to those in the local community who may not be able to come to the museum.

The 11 libraries in the CEFLS will each receive two Discovery Passes to lend to those with library cards, just as one would borrow a book. Borrow the Discovery Pass, bring it to The Wild Center admissions desk and enjoy all that The Wild Center has to offer from Animal Encounters to The Pines playground, Naturalists Cabinet and of course, the otters. The Discovery Pass includes free admission for one family (2 adults and their dependent children), including special Fests. It does not include special Back of House tours or Canoe trips where additional fees are charged. It may be borrowed for up to four days and there are no reserves, holds or renewals.

“The Discovery Pass is a boon to local families who are looking to explore The Wild Center this summer,” said Ewa Jankowska, Director of the CEFLS in Plattsburgh. “CEFLS is excited to collaborate in this project that will let families get familiar with a terrific local resource. As information centers for small communities, local libraries are standing by to connect patrons with a great experience that is right in their own back yards.”

Public libraries throughout the CEFLS three county service area are gearing up for summer reading fun. “Many of our member public libraries have extensive collections of local history and nature books for all ages and what they don’t have, we can get for them,” Jankowska adds. “As part of our ‘Dream Big Read!’ summer reading activities, we’ll be working with local libraries to follow up the Discovery Pass experience by providing and promoting related books, e-books, and special programs.”

Susanna Carey, Director of the Au Sable Forks Free Library is thrilled for this opportunity to offer free family passes to The Wild Center. “Having had the good fortune to visit before I know that it is a delightful place that combines learning and adventure for all ages,” said Carey. “The pass will allow patrons from our library who have not yet had a chance to explore the Center to do so, and hopefully they will share their experience with other future visitors. Or perhaps it will provide people with a chance to return and take advantage of the special events on offer. I believe that this venture between The Wild Center and public/free libraries is an exciting one which hopefully will enlighten the summer of many!”

“The Wild Center and CEFLS each seek to be educational resources for the community, as well as necessary centers for lifelong learning,” said Stephanie Ratcliffe, Executive Director of The Wild Center. “We’re building on a natural partnership and connecting with members of our three local counties. We want to ensure that everyone who wants to experience The Wild Center can.”

The Wild Center hopes to add more libraries to the program in the future.

Tampa, FL – The Wild Center’s pioneering renewable energy heating system was named Bioenergy Project of the Year for Excellence in Renewable Energy at the Renewable Energy World Conference and Expo yesterday in Tampa, Florida. The Center took first place in the Bioenergy category for its system that combines a solar hot water system with a highly-efficient wood pellet boiler. Of the hundreds of national finalists selected by the Renewable Energy World Network of Editors, The Center’s system placed first for its achievements.

“We are really proud that a great North Country team won this award,” said Stephanie Ratcliffe, the Center’s executive director. “The main boiler was manufactured in upstate New York, Clarkson University is monitoring the entire system, our wood pellets come from Massena, the installers are local businesses, and most of all we were able to switch from using expensive imported fuel to a super-efficient renewable source for our heat.”

Ratcliffe said the system had attracted a lot of local attention from other organizations with high heating costs. The system will be showcased at the Center’s upcoming Build a Greener Adirondacks Expo scheduled for the end of April.

“Our goal is to keep pushing the envelope in a practical way,” said Ratcliffe. “We want to play a part in helping the Adirondack region find a new way to use energy, which will end up helping our economy.” Ratcliffe cited the Center’s 2009 study that showed the region spends $1.5 billion annually in energy. “Anytime we can cut that bill or spend the money locally it means more for the North Country economy,” she said.

First announced in July 2009 and commissioned in May 2010, the highly efficient wood pellet boiler is integrated with a solar hot water system that supplies much of the hot water required to heat the 54,000-square-foot facility in Tupper Lake, NY. The new boiler system is the first highly efficient, commercial-sized, gasification wood-pellet boiler of its kind and size manufactured and installed in New York State. Additionally, the solar hot water collection system is the first of its kind used in a commercial application in the Adirondack region. The project was supported by a $350,000 contract award by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

The clean burning and efficient renewable energy heating plant has already resulted in a 45% reduction in The Wild Center’s GHG emissions in 2010, a significant reduction considering only 6 months of operation. Full year operations, beginning in 2011 will lead to even further reductions.

The 1.7 million BTU boiler unit is in The Wild Center’s basement boiler room, next to the Museum’s existing propane boiler. The pellets are stored in an outdoor recycled shipping container next to the Administration wing of the Center. The storage vessel also supports the solar thermal array to preheat water for the system. Pellets are augured through a series of pipes into the basement and directly into the boiler. Hot water from the solar thermal array is piped into the boiler through underground pipes.

The wood gasification boiler was fabricated by Advanced Climate Technologies of Schenectady, NY. The solar thermal heating system was designed and installed by E2G Solar and APEX Thermal Services. Similar projects, supported by NYSERDA, are taking place within the Saranac Lake Central School District and North Country School.

Renewable Energy World Conference & Expo North America has been a leading event in the renewable industry for eight years. Jim Calihan, President of RenewableEnergyWorld.com, said “The Wild Center exemplifies the kind of organization that will lead our economy to the next generation of energy excellence and make our planet a safer, cleaner place for the future.”

The project has also won the Best Building Integrated/Innovative category in the 6KC Awards, recognizing the best and brightest solar projects and industry champions in the Empire State, by the New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA).

Tupper Lake, NY – The Wild Center’s Wild Winter Weekends continue with activities from now until the end of March. There is a program guaranteed to keep everyone in the family entertained, enlightened and warm during these long winter months.

On Sunday, February 27th Family Art and Nature day begins at 1pm. Bring the entire family and explore this week’s theme, Owl Wisdom. Have you heard owls in the night and wondered how they live? Let’s take a closer look at owls – what they eat and how they survive in the Adirondack forest. Explore owl habitats and see live owls up close. Then transform yourself into this winged wonder as you design your own life-size owl.

As always, there are hikes on free snowshoes, animal encounters, feature films and great food offerings. Wild Winter Weekends are free for members or with paid admission.

The Wild Center is open throughout the winter on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. For additional information on The Wild Center, visit www.wildcenter.org or call (518) 359-7800.

Tupper Lake, NY – The Wild Center’s Wild Winter Weekends continue with activities from now until the end of March. There is a program guaranteed to keep everyone in the family entertained, enlightened and warm during these long winter months.

On Sunday, February 6th Family Art and Nature day begins at 1pm. Bring the entire family and explore this week’s theme, Outrageous Raptors. Experience live Adirondack Raptors, including a Red-tailed Hawk, an American Kestrel and Adirondack owls like you never have before. Let your imagination fly as you decorate larger than life bird wings for your bedroom.

As always, there are hikes on free snowshoes, animal encounters, feature films and great food offerings. Wild Winter Weekends are free for members or with paid admission.

The Wild Center is open throughout the winter on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and during the entire week of President’s Day. For additional information on The Wild Center, visit www.wildcenter.org or call (518) 359-7800.

Tupper Lake, NY – The Wild Center’s Wild Winter Weekends continue with activities from now until the end of March. There is a program guaranteed to keep everyone in the family entertained, enlightened and warm during these long winter months.

On Sunday, January 30th Family Art and Nature day begins at 1pm. Bring the entire family and explore this week’s theme, Hibernation Fascination. Ever wonder what happens to Adirondack animals in the depths of winter? Meet Adirondack amphibians that hibernate during the winter. Decorate your own hibernation keepsake box.

As always, there are hikes on free snowshoes, animal encounters, feature films and great food offerings. Wild Winter Weekends are free for members or with paid admission.

The Wild Center is open throughout the winter on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm and during the entire week of President’s Day. For additional information on The Wild Center, visit Website: www.wildcenter.org or call (518) 359-7800.

"These trails are constructed for motor vehicles operating at a high rate of speed" ... "The state argues that the new trails will enable DEC to close routes in the interior of the Preserve, enhancing its overall wildness."

"Public hearings are going on right now in towns and cities across New York state. In all there are a total of 102 different parcels being affected by various proposed changes, some of them major and some minor."

"How nature and the outdoors are appreciated or experienced differs across cultures. We must therefore continue to understand what people care about and why, as well as how forests are viewed, valued, and being used by our changing communities."

"The destinations presented in the media are generally so unattainable by most people that they might as well be on the moon–and don’t even bother going if you’re not wearing expensive, high-tech apparel and using modern, high-priced gear."

"The Adirondacks may be relatively young mountains, but their distinctive grey granite, anorthosite, originated 1.1 billion ago, so deep in the earth's crust that only continental collision could have formed it."

"The Tribe believes the County’s efforts to impose taxation or regulation of businesses on tribal land is not only unlawful, it creates an undue economic burden that is harmful to our community’s economic development and enterprises."

"... our legislators decided to turn it over to a sketchy non-profit corporation that is not subject to the same scrutiny under the FOIL [Freedom of Information Law] and Open Meetings Law that every other agency is."

"In my opinion, a lot of the problem is that ORDA and the Convention and Visitors Bureau don't work together, year round, for the common goal of promoting the community, for the benefit of the whole region."